At Work in Miami

Culturally, geographically and demographically, Miami’s Jewish population is one of the most diverse in the U.S. For more than 80 years, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation has worked to build community and enrich the quality of Jewish life in the Miami-Dade area. From assisting the most vulnerable to supporting Jewish education to strengthening our connection with Israel — and more — Federation-funded programs are at work every day, helping Jewish people of all ages and backgrounds.
How far-reaching is this impact? Today, 1 in 8 people in Miami’s Jewish community receives some form of financial assistance from Federation and our local Partner Agencies.
The impact of a Federation gift this year:
- Our Jewish community’s 24-hour Access and Information hotline received nearly 12,000 requests for assistance, including referrals, counseling, community resources and emergency aid. $128,000 in emergency assistance grants were provided to individuals and families in need.
- Grants and scholarships totaling more than $2 million were allocated to 10 Jewish day schools and 11 congregational schools in Miami, impacting nearly 4,000 students.
- More than $121,000 for housing assistance, emergency needs, education, auto expenses, medical bills, Bar Mitzvah costs and credit card debt, were provided by the Hebrew Free Loan Association of South Florida (HFLA).
- More than 600 Holocaust survivors in Miami-Dade County received personalized and comprehensive case management services through our beneficiary agency, Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS), to assist with coordinating care, obtaining benefits and ensuring they were able to safely live independently.
- There were 3,252 visits to the JCS Kosher Food Bank, serving 345 families consisting of 698 adults and children.
- Through JCS meal programs, 216,300 kosher meals were provided to homebound seniors, as well as those fed at one of five congregate meal sites throughout Miami-Dade County.
- JWorks Miami, the community employment program, helped 148 people gain employment last year.
- Through the three local Jewish Community Centers, 392 children and young adults with special needs participated in a variety of inclusion programs, such as summer camp, afterschool care, pre-vocational training and daily life-skill development.
- 1,100 youth and young adults from Miami participated in Israel Experience Programs through Taglit-Birthright Israel, Diller Teen Fellows, The Leo Martin March of the Living, Masa, Onward Israel and Alexander Muss High School in Israel.
Click here to learn more about our partner agencies.
Click here to learn about Federation's work worldwide.